ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

The DownTown Mountain Boys, based in Seattle, Washington, is the Pacific Northwest's most exciting and accomplished bluegrass band. Veteran bluegrassers and recording artists Terry Enyeart (bass, lead and harmony vocals), Dave Keenan (banjo, fiddle, lead and harmony vocals), Don Share (guitar, lead and harmony vocals), Tom Moran (mandolin), and Paul Elliott (fiddle), seen for years in such popular Northwest bands as Ranch Romance, Rural Delivery, Rainy Pass, and Who’s Driving?, have come together in a match made in musical heaven. Take three-part harmonies that send shivers up your spine, add dazzling instrumental firepower, and you have the sound of The Downtown Mountain Boys.

Here's what reviewers are saying about the DownTown Mountain Boys' first CD, "Big Darlin'":

The Downtown Mountain Boys are Paul Elliott, Don Share, David Keenan, Terrence Enyeart and Tom Moran, the cream of Seattle-area pickers, top teachers, session musicians, and musicologists... so the release of their latest, Big Darlin’ comes with weighty expectations. Happily, they make it sound easy, as great musicians can. Big Darlin’ is a solid slice of real, straight-ahead Bluegrass, with only the faintest hints that the band members do some work outside the genre, too (banjoist Keenan, who made his name in rockabilly and sports Seattle’s most iconic haircut, can’t help singing like Lefty Frizzell.) The disc features a couple numbers by award-winning songwriter and former Seattleite Nancy Riccio, including the scorching opening cut, “Back in the Black,” which is about how payday means not just solvency but a general lifting of spirits.... Big Darlin’ is the big local Bluegrass release of the summer, and should go national. It’s big, darlin’.

--Tom Peterson, Victory Music Review, August 2007

From the barn-burning licks of the opening song, "Back in the Black," to the tasty fiddlin' of Paul Elliott on the self-penned title tune, "Big Darlin," and everything in between, this is one fine CD of bluegrass music by the Downtown Mountain Boys. This group is based in Seattle, WA., a city of hills, mountains, and valleys... hence the name.

The music on this CD is very true to the sound the band produces on stage in live concert shows. It's a very tight sound delivered with the confidence that comes with many years of working together to hone a great sound. Paul Elliott on fiddle is smooth and powerful, determined to be a good fiddler in all styles and forms. Paul is a much-in-demand session fiddler and showcases his talents in several Northwest-area bands. Terrence Enyeart, a mainstay of traditional bluegrass in his home area is an accomplished bass and mandolin player, plus he is a great lead singer and songwriter. His background includes stints in "Rural Delivery" and "Brother's Keeper." Terrance is an accomplished songwriter and that is evident with his tune "Holy Beacon." David Keenan, is a powerhouse picker on banjo, mandolin, guitar and other instruments, and is also a good singer and songwriter. A professional entertainer with many bands over the years, David brings a great sense of humor to the band and his on-stage work is entertaining and fun. Don Share on the six string guitar is a class act all the way. His guitar pickin' is "clean and decent" and it mirrors his vocal work. Tom Moran on mandolin is strong and steady, a total complement to the sound of the band.

Fourteen Songs on the CD showcase the band very well. Original material: "Bug Tussle" (a great banjo tune from David Keenan), "Sometimes Dig for Taters," and "Big Darlin," a super fiddle tune from Paul Elliott, and the aforementioned "holy Beacon" from Terrance Enyeart. Well presented covers from other writers include "99 Years and One Dark Day" by Jesse Fuller, "Till the End of the World Rolls Round" by Thomas Newton, and a great rendition of a Johnny Cash song, "Train of Love," ...great fun.

Every song features crisp and clean pickin' with great lead vocal work on duets and trios.... This is a super CD and presents the talents and skills of a fine band. Be sure to bookmark "Big Darlin" from the Downtown Mountain Boys for your next CD purchase.

George McKnight, Uptown Bluegrass (The DTMB are the Uptown Bluegrass' "featured artists of the month.")

I love listening to this CD and singing along. All the tunes are very catchy. From payday to pulpit, they cover it all with hard hitting licks and witty lyrics. A must have for the discerning bluegrass fan.